Without missing a beat, Husband replied, “Oh, good.I’ll send you the man-bills.”

Husband was referring to the hefty expenses that he and I shoulder for college attendance, an off-campus apartment, and a vehicle.

Beagle clarified that he qualified for man status because he acquired a dog.

For countless reasons that don’t need to be spelled out for the mature reader, I was horrified.

When Husband and I recovered from our shock, we breathed a sigh of relief that Beagle is practicing fatherhood on a canine instead of a human baby.Let’s be realistic, the news could have been entirely less welcome and the outcome, more life-altering.

I could have seen this coming.Beagle had threatened to take the family dog with him to college and he insisted on caring for her when we travelled. He loves dogs and is adequately versed on basic pet care.For what it’s worth, he has kept his fish alive for 10 years. (A fish that remains in my house due to its need for an unreasonably-sized tank.)But a dog of one’s own at college is a different beast altogether.

These are the occurrences that give a parent the chance to make good on vows to support a child.It’s easy to promise lifelong unconditional love when gazing at an innocent newborn who hasn’t crossed any lines.But can we show up for our kid when circumstances and choices challenge us?

I don’t love my child only when he makes super-smart decisions.And I don’t intend to bet against him.But I will draw boundary lines and muster up the conviction to stand by them.This is Beagle’s dog, not mine.He will make his mistakes, discover his limitations, and hopefully experience the joy and satisfaction that comes from caring for another. I’ll be at a distance, cheering him on, and watching as my boy unfolds into a man.